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The end of the 49ers’ season frees defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to be hired elsewhere as head coach. As expected, he travels to Houston this week for a second interview.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports that “if all goes well,” the Texans will name the Ryans their new head coach.
That was expected when the search began, as the Texan fanbase clamored for Ryans, who played his first six seasons in Houston. With two Pro Bowls, he became a fan favorite.
The Texans have had four head coaches in the past three seasons. They fired Bill O’Brien during the 2020 season, with Romeo Crennel ending as caretaker manager before David Culley and Lovie Smith became lone head coaches.
Since their last playoff appearance in 2019, the Texans are 11-38-1. They hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft after winning their final game of the season and losing the No. 1 overall pick to Chicago.
Ryans oversaw the No. 1 NFL total defense in yards and points in 2022.
The Broncos also reportedly had Ryans as a top option as their head coaching job remains open.